Samuel Adams has unveiled a new beer that’s a blend of ale and lager: Sam ’76.
Created in Samuel Adams’ experimental nano brewery in Boston, it took more than a year of testing and 60 different brews to perfect the balance of Sam ’76, the company says. Brewers began with two active fermentations – a base lager and a base ale – each with their own respective yeast strains. The base beers were brewed, then combined during a final maturation step.
“The combination of multiple yeast strains and dry-hopping during a late stage of fermentation creates an amazing array of flavors not possible in a typical brewing process,” the company says.
Sam ’76 is 4.6% ABV. Flavors begin with a rich hop character and transition to a clean, crisp aftertaste, the company says. The combination of American Cascade, Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops in Sam ’76 imparts a tropical citrus aroma that gives way to a bright, juicy citrus hop flavor.
“We’ve brewed a revolutionary beer that brings together the best attributes of lager and ale with a taste and aroma that will completely surprise any craft beer drinker,” says Jim Koch, Samuel Adams founder and brewer.
Sam ’76 is available nationwide in six-pack cans for a suggested retail price of $8.99-$9.99, 12-pack cans for a suggested retail price of $15.99-$17.99, and 16 oz. single-serve cans for a suggested retail price of $1.99-$2.49. Prices for each package vary by market.
